BMW Reviews 

I purchased a pre-reg X3 with a few miles on and only 2 months old from the Sytner group. When purchasing the car the dealership was pushing payment and answered every-time I tried to call them. Once I had payed and picked up the car, I called for support info and nothing, could not get help, they did not call back after numerous attempts and I felt really deflated about purchasing BMW. I have owned a Hyundai etc in the past with no issues. I was so fed-up, I tried to sell to a different BMW dealer straight away, I tried a few. The loss after only 1 week on a pre-reg car was over 12k!! Unless I purchase another BMW, no thanks!
I only lost 13k with the Hyundai Tuscon after nearly 2 years with 28k on. I should have gone to BYD, Kia etc, you get better Warranty and only 3 years with BMW!
With Hyundai I had great prices/support. I have learned my lesson with BMW and will never purchase from them again! You expect, because of the cost, a better experience/ support. Never again!

I booked my car in for an official starter motor safety recall, confirmed the appointment, took a day off work, and drove 40 minutes. After waiting around 15 minutes, I was told that they couldn’t do the recall because the replacement parts had arrived damaged. That’s extremely frustrating. Basic checks should be done before confirming appointments. I lost time, fuel, and a day’s leave for nothing. Staff were polite and apologetic, but the organization was poor. For a premium brand, I expected far better.

BMW service plans - be very wary of what you sign up for.

Just discovered that a 3 year BMW service plan supposedly covering 3 services is completely inappropriate if you do average or below average mileage. When I bought the plan via the BMW website, it in no way stated that the 3 year plan was only suitable for high mileage vehicles. I have a BMW 5 series averaging 10,000 miles per year and before the 1st service was due bought a 3 year service plan on the basis that I would not keep the vehicle after the warranty runs out after 3 years. The contract is designed for 12 month service cycle and I believe that I was miss-sold this contract.

I have tried to complain to BMW but, in effect, it seems that it's all my fault. Now they are saying its got nothing to do with them as the contract is with EMAC. I bought the plan from BMW and not EMAC and therefore the responsibility rests with BMW. Which third party suppliers they sub-contract with is not my problem.

As ever with BMW Customer Services, they always want to push the problem to somebody else.

Main Points
1. they back date the plan to the 1st registration date NOT from when you buy the plan.
2. the car is serviced at 18,000 miles or 18 - 24 months, whichever is sooner. The 1st service is relatively minor and the 2nd service is mostly about changing the brake fluid. The 3rd service is the major service and, of course, very costly. Unless you are doing very high mileage you will not get the 3rd service covered by the plan.
3. They don't tell you the contract part of this is with a third party, so somebody else's problem.

BMW UK has demonstrated a remarkable disregard for customer loyalty, brand integrity, and basic accountability.
After purchasing a flagship Approved Used BMW M5 Competition, a vehicle marketed as the pinnacle of M Performance, the car failed within 12 hours, requiring immediate recovery.

What followed was a sequence of decisions from BMW UK that showed not only a lack of urgency, but a lack of respect.

I purchased an Approved Used BMW M5 Competition, a performance saloon that BMW positions as a halo product. Within half a day, the car suffered a failure severe enough to require recovery, with early indications suggesting major engine issues, potentially even an engine replacement.
For a brand that prides itself on engineering excellence, this alone is unacceptable.

Instead of providing a like‑for‑like M Performance vehicle, BMW supplied an X5 50e, a perfectly fine SUV in isolation, but not remotely comparable to the M5 Competition I purchased.

BMW UK refused to offer an alternative vehicle that reflects the category, value, or performance of the M5, despite having access to press cars, Partnerships with external fleet companies, A business fleet capable of supplying appropriate vehicles, And the fact that the M5 may require significant diagnostics or an engine replacement.
This refusal is not just inconvenient, it’s disrespectful to a loyal customer who invested in BMW’s flagship product.

For a company with BMW’s heritage, this is deeply disappointing, and it raises serious questions about how they value their customers once the sale is complete.

1. Unavailable Customer Service - BMW advertises 24/7 customer service, but when I tried contacting them, I was informed that their support is available only until 5 PM. This is extremely disappointing, especially for an EV owner who may require assistance outside regular working hours.
2. Additional Charges for Essential Features - After purchasing a higher-specification EV, I was disappointed to find that certain useful features, such as lane assistance, require additional payment. These features should ideally be included with a premium vehicle, particularly at higher specifications.
3. Unskilled Customer Support - When I first received my EV, the charging was not working. I contacted customer support for assistance, and I was told that I needed to get a BMW charging card for the car to charge. This information turned out to be incorrect. Providing inaccurate information to customers is unacceptable and raises serious concerns about the quality of customer support.
4. Unreliable BMW Application - The BMW app has also been disappointing. For example, the app is supposed to provide guidance regarding the minimum battery level required for a journey. However, during my long drive on 31 August, it suggested that I could continue driving until reaching home, despite the battery potentially dropping to as low as 2%. This kind of guidance is concerning, particularly when driving an EV on a long journey.
5. Incorrect Navigation and Maps - The BMW navigation system has repeatedly provided incorrect directions. This has happened three or four times already. Even today, the navigation instructed me to take a left turn to reach a specific motorway, while the map itself indicated that I should continue straight. Such inconsistencies can be extremely frustrating and potentially unsafe while driving.

Overall, I genuinely did not expect this level of service and reliability from BMW. Given the premium positioning of the brand and the price of the vehicle, I expected a much better customer experience.

Unfortunately, based on my experience so far, I would seriously reconsider choosing BMW in the future and would be unlikely to purchase another BMW.

Received a safety recall letter beginning of June advising the starter motor needs to be replaced as possibility of overheating and starting a fire, 3 months later and we are still waiting for the part to arrive! Have no problem with the staff but the supply chain process needs reviewing ... all the while ... sitting on a time bomb!!

iX3 owner for 3 years and I returned the car in January 2026, but wasn't aware I had to cancel my charging solutions account prior to handing the car back. However, after informing BMW through numerous emails I was told the account would take 30 days to deactivate and during that time the new owner had used the charging card associated with my account for a month, racked up a significant bill which I was charged for. I contaxted BMW customer service several times to make them aware of the issue but was just fobbed off every time. The car itself was good but BMW customer service is absolutely shocking, unsympathetic, process over people driven, and I would not recommend them to anyone.

Beware of the known Drivetrain failure by BMW on the new M5. They have had my brand new car for 8 weeks without fixing the known DME Drivetrain failure. Having now to take them to court for the return of all my funds. Below is the commonly known historic problem, yet they continue to state they know nothing of this. BMW are the worst car manufacturer in the industry!
1. The "Dreaded" Drivetrain Failure & Software Glitches
The most common electronics-related issue logged by owners of the new M5 is a sudden "Drivetrain Malfunction" warning on the iDrive screen, often accompanied by limp mode or the car locking itself into a single gear (such as 3rd gear). [1, 2, 3]
• The Cause: BMW tracking and technical service bulletins indicate this is heavily tied to an implementation and communication error within the OBD diagnostics and transmission management software. The DME registers data mismatches between the V8 engine and the hybrid electric motors. [1, 2, 3]
• The Fix: BMW rolled out an official integration software update (I-Level patch 03/2026.39 or newer) specifically designed to rewrite the transmission code and stop the DME from throwing false-positive drivetrain faults

2. OBD Diagnostic Implementation Flaws (SIB 65 14 26)
BMW issued official Service Information Bulletins (including SIB 65 14 26) affecting the new M5. [1]
• The Fault: Control units (including the DME) suffer from an internal software tracking glitch where stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL/Check Engine Light) refuse to clear automatically. Even after a physical issue is fixed, the DME permanently holds onto the warning light until a dealer performs a hard system flash. [1]

3. Tuning & DME Locking Constraints
If you are looking at the DME from a tuning or aftermarket perspective, the electronic architecture is highly restrictive. [1, 2]
• The Fault: The new M5 utilizes highly secure MG1CS201 Bosch DMEs. They feature strict bench-lock software protections that cause immediate communication connection timeouts or terminal diagnostic bricking if traditional OBD flashing tools attempt to override them. Specialist tuners have to use inline resistors just to wake up the bootloader interface without triggering a permanent DME lockout fault code

Excellent aftercare service yet again from Georgina at the Doncaster Branch/Stratstone.
Very professional in her approach and dealing with the minor issue I’ve experienced as per my previous car and experience with her and BMW.
Would highly recommend.

Sent BMW an e-mail on the 11 th August after spending about 3 days trying to confirm the right size of tyres for our BMW - the problem lies in the fact that we have had many tyres and it seems the ones currently we have had are not correct!
However I have spent a long time on the phone and have been given various different sizes of tyres and no reply from my e-mail asking for a definitive reply

Customer support absolutely rubbish, no interest, I've a 2017 car, only just finished finance agreement, and all of a sudden things start going wrong, rang day by their sales for a new car , strange things!!

The head unit goes wrong, can't do any thing with it, can't even change it, dealer wants over £165 just to have a look, well they can think again , a Monopoly!!!

Never again with this brand!

I'm complaining on here about BMW Assist (Allianz) because there is no other company shown on here for BMW Assist although I hold BMW responsible for this even though their customer services say this issue is nothing to do with them and they can't help. I won't bother explaining the abysmal BMW Assist failures when my new M235 (just 1000 miles on the clock) showed up a 'drivetrain' fault and consequently wouldn't go into 2nd gear but the atrocious service from BMW Assist, another long story which I'll just precis dow: it was a day and half full of let downs, no calls back, calls saying a recovery vehicle was on the way when 3 times it wasn't even booked! Also a 32 hour wait for hire car. BMW Assist got a complaint which is an 8 week wait for a resolution. At 7 weeks and 6 days I chased and got a resolution from them after 3 calls and two emails where finally with an lengthy apology was sent citing the reasons as staff sickness, no automatic trigger to reassign the job, and a 'communication model with no single point of ownership' etc etc where they offered a three figure compensation which they said would 'reflect' in my bank account after 14 business days. Here we are after 16 business days and no payment received. A 40 min phone call yesterday (after two emails yesterday and the day before not responded to) resulted in the only seemingly helpful advisor, Victoria, promising to email me with the payment info yesterday telling me as to when they were going to pay it. Needless to say, no email. The advisors on Allianz were uncaring, one was rude and two kept passed me on to the 'right department' but actually all that happened was I was put back in the waiting queue and had to explain the situation all over again. Disgusting service! BMW should find another 'reliable' insurer to back up their roadside assist. The incident that brought about the complaint was on 29th May and here we are now on 15th August still waiting for the 'compensation' which I am beginning to doubt I'll ever receive.

Dangerous safety faults after recall – Dealership refusing to inspect.

Took my car to BMW Portslade for an official airbag recall. Received the car back with electrical faults (doors locking themselves). Two weeks ago, it escalated to a dangerous 'steering lock' fault and 'airbag seat restraint' warning. The car now fails to start and is unsafe to drive. Another BMW branch refused to look at it, and now BMW Portslade flatly refuse to inspect the vehicle because I have an open Ombudsman case. They have left me stranded without a working vehicle after breaking it during a safety recall. Trading Standards have been informed.

This is a highly disappointing review for me to write. I have been a dedicated BMW owner and fan my entire life, having previously owned an E36 318is, an E36 M3, an E46 323i, and an E90 320d. Unfortunately, the poor standard of customer service I recently encountered has completely shattered my trust. BMW used to mean quality to me, but this experience has been a massive letdown.

Avoid this brand. It is no longer what it once was. Build quality is terrible and they won't honour warranties for known defects. I bought BMW for 20 years, but not any more.

I am writing to you about the very poor service which I have received from BMW Assist.

I have a BMW 520d. M18GJW

On 3rd November 2025 BMW sent a Letter advising of an IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL to replace the starter motor. "BMW strongly recommends parking the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings until the repair has been carried out." This is because it may go on fire. They advise that in some cases starting the car may not be possible.

When I telephoned to book my car in to the BMW garage I was told that no starter motors were available and they would contact me when they became available. Eight months later on 5th June 2026 a letter advised me to have the starter motor replace when I telephoned BMW the soonest my car could have the starter motor replaced was Tuesday 3rd September 2026, some THREE months later.

On Sunday 12th July I travelled to Middlewich to help my daughter collect a very large birthday present for her daughter. I parked in a narrow cut-de-sac and left my car for about one hour.
When I returned and pressed the starter button nothing happened the car would not start. All of the dashboard lights came on but no starter motor sound could be heard.

I knew instantly that this problem was related to an urgent recall starter motor notice which I had received on 5th June 2026.

When my car failed to start I telephoned Halliwell Jones and was told that they did not recover the vehicle and the I would have to contact BMW Assist
I contacted BMW assist and explained that my car would not start because of a starter motor problem. They arranged to send a recovery vehicle which would take between 60 minutes to 90 minutes.

After waiting for two hours with no pick up truck I telephoned once again and was told as I did not have BMW assist they could not help me. I explained once again that the problem was due to the fact that a recall notice had not been completed and was told that I would have to arrange my own transport.

As I did not have the option to take the car to Halliwell Jones I had to make arrangements to have the car taken to my home address.
I arranged for a collection at a cost of £530.00 to pick up the car and deliver it to my home address.

The following day I phoned BMW assist and it took me three attempts to make arrangements for BMW assist to collect the car. Eventually I spoke to a very nice lady who understood the problem and proceeded to arrange transport from my home to Halliwell Jones. She also made all the arrangements with Halliwell Jones to have the starter motor replaced.

On Monday 13th July North West Recovery came to collect the car, but found that because the car was an automatic they could not move it and had to arrange collection by a machine which could lift the car and put onto a transporter.

On Wednesday 15th July the car was duly collected and delivered to Halliwell Jones.

The car arrived at Halliwell Jones and the starter motor was subsequently replaced the following day. I had to collected the car myself although the recommendation is that it should be delivered back to the owner.

The whole process from not being able to start my car to getting it back to my home took NINE hours in a temperature of over 30ºC. In the car temperature was 35.5ºC.

I don’t think BMW really understand how traumatic this whole experience has been for my wife and myself as well as very costly.

My car transport cost is £530.00 for the car to be collected and delivered to my home address.

I believe there is good reason to state that BMW should bear the cost of this dreadful situation and I hope that I will hear from them in a favourable manner, bearing in mind that this would never have happened had BMW been more diligent in their actions and replaced the starter motor in a more realistic time frame.

I have written to BMW's Managing Director and have been fobbed off with no action todate.

BMW Mini Uk.

Being given the complete run around... 5 weeks a new 6000 mile car has been with them. No loan vehicle.

I thought going with a more prestigious brand would assure us of good service. No. Not at all.

6000 miles new car, power steering fails at 50 mph, 12 other recorded errors.

Nobody at Mini have helped. No point at all going with a 'brand'. Honda and Merc were epic with their customer service. Weeks have passed.. zero help or offers to support while the vehicle is with them... in fact they emailed me asking me to collect as it was taking up room at their garagea,... A - fix it then B - the car has been classed as dangerous by your own staff.

We're now planning to raise this on the government website for dangerous vehicles and highlight the issues we've had. Terrible...

I would not recommend BMW to anyone looking for a car. Horrendous customer service and accountability.

BMW warranty does not exist. It's like having private medical cover and them quoting pre-existing condition.

BMW UK customer service has to be by far the worst i have ever has the misfortune to experience, to be treated how we where after spending £108,000 on a car that failed at 9 months old and then left stranded having to pay for recovery and repairs myself due to the over 1 month wait to get into a dealer, for BMW uk to not do anything about that is madness, especially that we own 2 bmw vehicles under 1 year old, needless to say we will never ever own another bmw again after this.

Having leased two vehicles from BMW a few years ago and never having being in default, I am currently being harrassed by BMW Finance & BMW Recovery for falsified breaches. They have closed my online account for the vehicle in question and not taken the debit for the July payment. They have threatened to apply for a court order to repossess the vehicle.

Why have they done this? Well, the lease agreement ends end September 2026 and they have alleged a false breach so that I cannot sell the vehicle myself and make a little profit and pay off BMW the remaining balance and, instead, they are trying to repossess the vehicle so they can sell at their own price and retain all proceeds.

I have had to instruct solicitors to represent me as I have been getting nowhere with them. No responses to emails/letters and bizarre auto-responses to phone calls where the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. They have even failed to reply to my solicitors and when they finally did after months, only to say that they cannot liaise with them due to the Data Protection Act even though I have authorised them to do so!

Shockingly, BMW Finance is in breach of the DPA themselves as they allowed a third party to impersonate me on the telephone and bypass security in order to provide them with false information. BMW themselves informed me of this in writing and when I requested a copy of the call recording, they emailed me various recordings, none of which were the one in question. They then alleged that they could not find the recording nor the associated notes and, finally, they simply stopped responding to me.

I am completely taken aback at the disgusting way in which BMW are behaving. I have owned several BMWs previously and never had such a low standard of behaviour and discourtesy from any such corporate and I intend to see this all the way in court and expose what BMW has done to me and no doubt countless others.

On the 8 June 2026, Berry BMW Thames Ditton reported that both rear wheels had small/hairline cracks on the inner face of the rims and, hence, these components required replacing.
During the period of my ownership, the vehicle has only ever been used in normal road conditions and for the purpose which it was made. There is no visible damage to the tyres, wheels, braking and suspension systems. The car is in first class/mint condition and is, generally, hand washed. Neither the wheels or the tyres had any marks on or visible damage to them whatsoever. Berry BMW referred the matter to BMW (UK). BMW (UK) instructed Berry BMW to undertake 'run-out' tests on both wheels for both radial and lateral alignment. Both wheels have been found to be out of tolerance, although note that this is on the inner face of the wheel only; the outer face of the rims being well within the tolerances stated for a one-piece alloy wheel (0.3mm deflection). In combination with the apparent visual appearance of the wheels (which Berry BMW - conveniently – chose not to formally record anywhere), the results relating to the testing of the outer rim fall within tolerance and support the fact that the vehicle has not been subject to any ‘overloading’ via excessive speed over road-humps and/or potholes. BMW (UK) failed to consider any relevance to the overall appearance and condition of the rear wheels. The car has completed 25,000 miles, it is in first class condition, has a full BMW service history and yet BMW (UK) have chosen to ignore all these facts. Berry BMW have failed to provide a traceable calibration certificate for the testing undertaken, indeed, there is no reference to the dial gauge used to test the wheels on my vehicle whatsoever, this despite my clear request for a full audited report into the testing regime undertaken by the dealership. BMW (UK) have refused any goodwill, despite these wheels clearly being defective and not fit for purpose. How can the wheel son a (at new) £92k car last just over 3 years and then require replacing at 25k miles. It is utterly ridiculous.